After accident kills four, Twitter campaign seeks multi-specialty hospital in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada

The Indian Express | 1 hour ago | 25-07-2022 | 05:40 pm

The recent accident in Karnataka’s Udupi district, in which four people were killed after the ambulance they were travelling in rammed into a toll plaza at Shiroor, has sparked an online campaign on Twitter. The accident occurred when the ambulance was rushing a patient from Honnavar in coastal Uttara Kannada district to a hospital in Udupi’s Kundapur. Tweeting under #NoHospitalNoVote, netizens are now demanding a super-specialty hospital in Uttara Kannada district which has for long struggled with poor health infrastructure.Located about 450 km from Bengaluru, Uttara Kannada district has 11 taluks with an estimated population of 15.46 lakh. With the exception of the government-run Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences – which does not have enough specialty departments – at the district headquarters in Karwar, Uttara Kannada has long been plagued by inadequate health infrastructure, forcing people in the region to travel to other districts or even the neighbouring state for medical treatment.According to a district health official, the super-specialty hospital nearest to Karwar is Goa Medical College, about 100 km away, but people in the region travel either to Mangaluru or Manipal, which is about 180km. Underlining the need for a multi-specialty hospital in the area, Twitter user Lohith Naik pointed out that more than 10-15 accidents take place in the region each month but the people are “helpless”, tweeting under the hashtag #NoHospitalNoVote.Sachin Kumta, another Twitter user, said, “There is an immense need for an emergency hospital in #UttaraKannada district, because the hospitals are too far from here, where the patient has to play between Life and Death.”“Shame on You MP, People of Uttara kannada have elected u 6 times, but never cared for people. people are requesting Emergency Multispecialty Hospital & u said its not My work,” fumed Suraj G Naik.Dr Shivananda B Kudtarkar, district health officer (Uttara Kannada) told The Indian Express that there is a private multi-specialty hospital in the district. “But what we need is a super-specialty hospital or a branch of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). As the region and its population is scattered, the strategic location could be Ankola, which can be accessible to many of the taluks in the district.Another health official pointed out that every time elections are around the corner, promises of a super-specialty hospital are renewed. “Though institutions like the Karnatak Lingayat Education Society and the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute have been established in this region, nobody is interested in starting a hospital here because the people here cannot afford to go to private hospitals. However, there needs to be comprehensive development in the district for the health sector to grow. The government promises a super-specialty hospital when elections approach, but it dies down later.”Soon after the campaign for a hospital gained traction on social media, JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy extended his support to the agitators and demanded that the chief minister look into it. “Only a few places in the state have well-equipped hospitals. People who need emergency care will have to rush to places like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru or Belagavi. This amounts to discrimination in health care. During Covid-19, the government announced that all hospitals will be upgraded, but nothing has taken place. How many more have to die on roads?” Kumaraswamy questioned.State Minister for Health K Sudhakar said that as per the public demand, Uttara Kannada district needs a multi-specialty hospital and trauma care centre. “I will discuss it with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and take a decision,” he said.BJP leader Ananth Kumar Hegde, who currently represents Uttara Kannada in the Lok Sabha, is a six-time winner from the seat. Of the six Assembly constituencies in the district, the BJP represents five and the Congress one.

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Goa government looks at PPP for Margao bus stand development: Transport minister Mauvin Godinho

Times of India | 5 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 01:38 pm

Times of India

5 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 01:38 pm

MARGAO: Transport minister Mauvin Godinho said that the state government was "exploring the possibility" of taking up the construction of Margao's bus stand through public private partnership (PPP). In a recent written reply to a question by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Godinho said that the total area of land in government's possession, which can be utilised for the bus stand project, was approximately 70,000 sqm. "The temporary KTC bus stand at Margao was constructed in 1989. The total built up area of the bus stand in possession of KTCL is 700 sqm," Godinho said. During a discussion, Kamat urged the government not to go for PPP mode. For maximum returns from the project, the government itself should build it, he said. What's significant is that the foundation stone for the "ultra-modern transport hub" was laid in June 2011 by Kamat, who was then the chief minister, when Congress was in government. Spread over 16 acres of land, the project was to include, besides a modern bus stand, a retail mall, a hotel block, corporate block for commercial space and parking facility, among other facilities. The conceptual drawings along with block estimates (Phase I & II) were prepared by consultants of the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC). Around three years ago, the GSIDC had moved the file to the TCP department for its approval, following which tenders for the Rs 350 crore project were to be invited. While then chief minister Manohar Parrikar had given his approval, the proposal hit a roadblock after his demise. The project has remained grounded ever since.

Goa: Revolutionary Goans party waiting for legislature department’s response, may rework POGO bill

Times of India | 8 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 10:22 am

Times of India

8 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 10:22 am

PANAJI: Revolutionary Goans (RG) MLA Viresh Borkar said he is waiting for a response from the legislature department to the private member’s bill he had moved on the Persons Of Goan Origin (POGO), to decide on the future course of action. During a heated discussion on the last day of the monsoon session of the Goa assembly on Friday, chief minister Pramod Sawant had informed the house that the bill moved by the St Andre MLA was unconstitutional. When asked to spell out the reasons for it, law minister Nilesh Cabral had said that Borkar could check the noting put up by the law department file of which was placed on the table of the house by him. "If the concerns are genuine then we will definitely look at them, talk to constitutional experts and see how to rework it," said Borkar. “ I have not got any reply. The law department and the chief minister have made comments but as per procedure the speaker has to tell the house if a private member's bill has been accepted or rejected," said Borkar while speaking to TOI. "I need an explanation," Borkar said. Borkar said that as per norms of the Goa legislative assembly, the speaker needs to officially inform him if the bill has been accepted or rejected. RG chief Manoj Parab, speaking to the media after the session, said if POGO bill is unconstitutional then how did the government last year get the Bhumiputra bill, he asked. “From the discussion in the assembly, the people have come to know who is with the native people”, Parab said accusing the ruling party of ignoring the sentiments of the local people. “The government is only making statements of working in the interest of Goa and Goans. It is only lip service”, he said. Parab also slammed Independent MLA from Curtorim Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco for criticising Borkar during discussion on Friday.

PM asks BJP states to boost business environment, push sports culture

The Indian Express | 15 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 03:40 am

The Indian Express

15 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 03:40 am

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi on Sunday asked all BJP Chief Ministers to push sporting culture in their states, ensure 100% coverage of all central schemes and boost the business environment in the country even as he emphasised upon improving ease of doing business in their respective states.The Prime Minister held a meeting with Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states at the party headquarters here to deliberate on the developmental work being done by them.“Attended a meeting with @BJP4India Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers. This meeting gave us the opportunity to discuss best practices in the states, how to further strengthen the reach of Central schemes and more,” the Prime Minister tweeted after the meeting.The meeting was attended by 12 Chief Ministers and eight Deputy Chief Ministers apart from BJP president J P Nadda, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Vinay Sahsrabuddhe, who heads the party’s good governance cell.“During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised better implementation of some of the key schemes and initiatives of the government viz. Gati Shakti, Har Ghar Jal, Svamitva, DBT implementation, Government eMarketplace, especially in the BJP-ruled states,” the BJP said in a statement.According to the party, talking about rural areas, the Prime Minister spoke about the significance of Gobardhan scheme and the need to further popularise the initiative. He underlined the positive impact of nano fertilisers on crop productivity, and spoke about increasing its usage, the party said. He stressed on the need to ensure saturation-level coverage of all key schemes and said that BJP-ruled states should take a lead towards this, it added.“The PM put significant emphasis on the need to ensure ease of doing business. He spoke about several initiatives taken by the government towards this. He encouraged states to take steps towards further boosting the business environment in the country,” the BJP statement said.In the backdrop of ongoing World Athletics Championship, the Prime Minister also asked the Chief Ministers to ensure that their states accord due importance to sports and ensure provision of best facilities for encouraging participation and engagement of youth in large numbers, BJP leaders said.He emphasised that BJP-ruled states should aim to become known for their sporting culture. He also talked about the significance of all towns, villages and cities celebrating their foundation days.“During the meeting, progress of various welfare schemes and development programmes of the central government in these states were reviewed. Strategies to ensure last-mile delivery of welfare schemes, usage of e-governance systems to ensure greater accountability with zero pilferage, prioritising outreach of schemes to remote areas and achieving 100% coverage of eligible beneficiaries were discussed. The progress of the Amrit Sarovar Mission and preparation for the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign were also reviewed. All CMs committed to strive to convert Azadi ka Amrit Kaal into an era of Antyodaya through Good Governance,” the BJP statement said.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among those who attended the meeting.Nagaland Chief Minister Nephio Rio, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha were also present.Among the Deputy Chief Ministers, Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis and Bihar’s Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi attended the meeting.

Committed to direct benefit transfer in govt schemes: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Times of India | 16 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

16 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 02:40 am

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Sunday that the state government has set a target for total implementation of direct benefit transfer to beneficiaries of state and central schemes. He said that the state is committed to strive to convert Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav into an era of ‘antyodaya’ through good governance. Sawant attended the mukhyamantri parishad chaired by PM Narendra Modi in the presence of BJP president J P Nadda at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting was also attended by CMs and deputy CMs of state governed by BJP. Speaking to TOI, Sawant said that every three months, the PM takes a review meeting. “We have submitted the report to the PM,” Sawant said. Stating the the state government has implemented 100% har ghar jal, ODF and power, Sawant said, “Our target is to achieve direct benefit transfer to beneficiaries”. He said that the focus would also be to implement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, among other schemes. During the meeting, Modi emphasised better implementation of some key schemes and initiatives of the government in BJP-governed states. He also spoke about the significance of the Gobardhan scheme in rural areas, and stressed on the need to ensure saturation-level coverage of all key schemes. BJP-governed states should take a lead in this, he said.

Yuri calls out govt on empty job promises

Times of India | 16 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

16 hours ago | 25-07-2022 | 02:40 am

Margao: Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao said that the figures provided in the replies to the Legislative Assembly Questions also brought to the fore the “complete lethargy” on part of the government to create employment opportunities for educated youths of Goa. A reply from the labour and employment department stated that while 1.6 lakh youth have registered with the state’s employment exchange, the government gave jobs to only 115 persons on regular basis and 1,749 persons on contractual basis in the last three years and five months. “This is shocking from the very government which promised unemployment dole before 2012 elections, 50,000 jobs before 2017 assembly elections, 10,000 jobs each before zilla panchayat, municipal and panchayat elections,” Alemao said. In a reply to Alemao’s question, the government said it was “not aware” of the reports released by Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) which stated that at least 10.5% of Goa’s population was unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic, much above the national unemployment rate of 4.2% and the report published by Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) stating that unemployment ratio is 13.4% in May 2022 as against national average of 7.12%. “This reply exposes the fact that the BJP government is not concerned with the rising rate of unemployment in Goa,” Alemao said. “It is sad that the BJP government has no mechanism in place to monitor employment in the private sector in Goa. The LAQ replies have also revealed that there is no data available with the government pertaining to employment in the private sector. The big talks of the BJP government have once again turned out to be jumlas.”

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